| Have you tried crate training puppies or dogs but | | | | the local library but the books there were generally |
| been unsuccessful or do you intend trying to crate | | | | old and there wasn't much on dog training in general |
| train your puppy in the near future? | | | | let alone crate training puppies. I even asked my |
| If so then you may be missing what I believe to be | | | | veterinary, during a routine visit, but she gave similar |
| the most important part of crate training puppies. | | | | advice to that given by the pet store. |
| When I first used a crate, or cage as some people | | | | I gave up trying to use the crate, it was making my |
| call it, I didn't find it to be too successful. My dog | | | | pet unhappy and that was not what I wanted. With |
| was very reluctant to go into the crate and would sit | | | | regret I disposed of the cage and returned to regular |
| as far away from it as possible. | | | | training methods. My dog was much happier and his |
| He would even stay out of the room, where the | | | | training progressed well. |
| crate was kept, only venturing in when every one | | | | It was some time after this, when I bought another |
| else was in the room and settled. | | | | puppy and invested in a dog training course, that I |
| At this point he would enter the room almost | | | | discovered the subtle difference to my techniques |
| crouching as he passed the crate, at a distance, | | | | that was required for successfully crate training |
| keeping his eye on the offending object all the time. | | | | puppies. |
| Once safely past he would almost run to the far end | | | | Although I had tried to make the crate comfortable |
| of the room and settle down there still keeping a | | | | for my pet and furnished it with treats and toys he |
| sheepish eye on the cage. | | | | had not felt totally safe and secure there. In the |
| Treats and toys were put in the crate, I even got in | | | | early days I had locked him in the cage on a couple |
| there myself and tried to encourage him over but it | | | | of occasions when I was busy and he had been |
| was no good, he didn't like it and that, as far as he | | | | particularly boisterous. I had seen this as convenient, |
| was concerned, was that. | | | | he had seen it as punishment. |
| Now you must remember this was some time ago | | | | This is something you should never do. Never use the |
| and there was not so much information available for | | | | crate as a prison or as punishment. You should |
| crate training puppies or dogs as there is now. | | | | ensure your puppy or dog sees his crate as his |
| The pet store I purchased the crate from had given | | | | sanctuary, the place he can go to get some piece |
| some basic advice which I thought I had followed. | | | | and quiet. There will be occasions when he is locked |
| There were treats in the cage and it was in the | | | | in but that should never be as punishment. In the wild |
| room where the family gathered so my dog was | | | | wolves and dogs create dens where they feel safe |
| made to feel he was still part of the family and not | | | | and secure, this is what your pet's crate should be |
| rejected. The crate was in a warm, draught free | | | | for him. Place a cover over the crate to give him a |
| area and out of direct sunlight but none of this | | | | feeling of security and replicate the den he would |
| seemed to be much help, my dog did not like it! | | | | have in the wild. |
| Where was I going wrong? | | | | First create the den your dog desires and then the |
| Although I thought I was doing everything right there | | | | job of getting him to use it, as part of his training, will |
| was obviously something I was doing wrong. I visited | | | | be accomplished far more successfully. |